I like to keep track of things that are either really handy or really fun. Here are a few.

Personalised Lego Characters, called Brick Yourself. I love these figures and I’ll bet that you can barely take your eyes off mine, seen here on this page, enjoying a glass of rosé.  I think of this brick-based figurine as my alter ego, my wine version of myself, and it sits on my desk and keeps me smiling. These customisable figures make excellent co-worker gifts or team gifts or gifts for the person that is impossible to buy for. If I need a laugh, I just send someone a message along with a picture of my figurine. It has also made its way to my Twitter account.

The Atelier du Vin Twin Blade Cork Pull contraption was first patented in 1887. It is indispensable for opening older bottles of wine without damaging the cork. You can also use it to re-cork a bottle. Legend has it that waiters used the Twin Blade cork pull to open bottles and take a small sip and then re-cork the bottle leaving no trace. This same trick could apply to your parent’s wine cellar! You can see the link to the source below and also but it at Amazon.

JancisRobinson.com is my go-to source for all things wine. She and her team offer unparalleled regional coverage, wine suggestions, timely wine-related news, and wine tasting notes and reviews. For wine business, history and technical detail, her Oxford Companion to Wine is the definitive text.

Cite du Vin is a must-visit museum dedicated to wine, in Bordeaux. There is a wonderful exhibition featured at the moment called Drinking With the Gods, that explores the rituals of wine between the gods, men and wine in Greco Roman civilisation. The other incredible experience on site is their shop, which has all manner of wine paraphernalia that any wine enthusiast will swoon over. The selection of definitive wine region maps and wine carry bags is particularly good.

Le Nez Du Vin These kits are intended to help you identify what you are smelling in the glass. Is that Pear or Apple? The vials contained with these extracts will help you hone your ability to know the difference! It’s a terrific tool for anyone wanting to deepen their wine identification skills. Wine geeks are almost always enthralled with the version of this kit that focuses on the 12 most common wine faults. Open the cork taint bottle at your peril - the smell is so pungent, making it an effective teaching-learning experience. Add a drop to your glass and try to dilute it to the point that you no longer smell it and see if your friends have the same sensitivity. This company also makes vials and kits for coffee aromas and Whiskey, Armagnac and Bourbon. Word to the wise: If you’re travelling on a plane with these - check that the vials are in fact tightly sealed - check it twice and pop the entire kit in a ziplock style bag! You do not want your luggage smelling like cork taint for a decade.

Sarasa Rapid Dry Gel Pen 0.7mm Just like an athlete, a student preparing for the Master of Wine exam analyses every aspect of the exam. I’ve known students who’ve gone to hypnotherapy to either improve confidence or the focus it takes in the timed exams to eliminate unhelpful brain chatter. One of the things I analysed was the right tool to write. The speed needed to get my words on paper meant I didn’t want to be writing with a fountain pen or any pen that slows down the process for my writing style and pressure, or gasp - with ink that smudges as you write. After analyzing dozens and dozens of pen and paper combinations I found the Sarasa Rapid Dry Gel Pen 0.7mm to be the fastest for my hand. I use it to this day!